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More passengers to pack LAX for Thanksgiving travel compared to last year

Corey Moore

A family stacks their luggage on a cart after getting dropped off curbside before checking in at the Virgin America terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 23, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

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Officials predict a 6.8 percent increase in travelers over the same time last year. More than 1.87 million passengers passed through LAX during the 2012 Thanksgiving holiday period.

LAX spokeswoman Nancy Castles said the math is simple: More seats on larger aircrafts mean more passengers will travel through the airport’s gates.

“We’ve had a significant number of new international flights and new international service,” said Castles. “So it’s important that they allow enough time to check in, go through federal security screening, and then to reach their boarding gates.”

She said along with more travelers, "passengers will see more uniformed officers, more patrol vehicles, officers on segues, on bicycles. They’ll see more canine units as well.”

That's typical for holidays.

Officials won't talk about specific security changes brought on by the fatal shooting at Terminal 3 earlier this month, but emphasize passenger safety is the top priority.

One travel website predicts LAX will be the busiest airport in the country this Thanksgiving flying season. And while Wednesday is sure to be busy, the most hectic travel day is actually the Sunday after turkey day.